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theguardian.com
What would Jesus drink? Welcome to the age of Christian energy beverages
Drink brands such as Yahweh and Praise Energy say they’re raising awareness for Christianity – but are they just treating Jesus like an uncopyrighted Mickey Mouse?By now, you’ve probably noticed the trend: every celebrity and influencer appears to be chasing the same prize. We’re deep in the era of the celebrity beverage.Kim Kardashian has Update energy drinks. John and Hank Green have the Awesome Coffee Club. Blake Lively sells sparkling grapefruit juice. Even Danny DeVito, somehow perfectly cast for the role, is the face of a limoncello. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
SpaceX ‘significantly overvalued’ as huge IPO looms; UK construction output slumps – business live
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsA fire has broken out at Tata Steel’s plant in south Wales, with the manufacturer saying it is too early to say whether the incident will affect its operations.Emergency services attended the Port Talbot site at 8pm last night to deal with a fire at one of its processing lines, the company said in a statement. All staff were accounted for and evacuated to safety, it said.“UK construction companies reported a steep downturn in business activity during May, with the speed of contraction accelerating to its fastest for six years. House building remained especially subdued, and there were fresh challenges in the construction sector from a considerable softening of commercial activity since April.“Anecdotal evidence suggested that economic uncertainty and rising inflation in the wake of the Middle East conflict had triggered the steepest drop in new work since the beginning of the pandemic. Elevated borrowing costs were also reported to have impacted market conditions. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Who is Elon Musk and what is his net worth?
The boss of X, Tesla and SpaceX is the world's richest person and has used his platform to make his views known on a vast array of topics.
theguardian.com
Trump has made our K-shaped economy even worse | Steven Greenhouse
While wealthy Americans hail a booming stock market, the rest of us worry about rising inflation and people struggling to make ends meetIn case you’re not familiar with the concept of the K-shaped economy, it’s an important idea that captures a lot about Trump’s America. Wealthy Americans are represented by the line of the K that angles sharply upward to the right, while the line of the K that dips downward represents non-rich Americans and the difficulties they face.The economy’s K-shape has been growing worse in recent months, in large part because of Donald Trump’s policies. The wealthy people’s line is climbing further upward, while the line for the non-wealthy – the vast majority of Americans – has fallen further. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK to challenge EU over ‘devastating’ plans to almost halve tariff-free steel import quotas
Business secretary to meet European counterpart on Friday as EU industry leaders worry about retaliatory measures by UKBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK business secretary, Peter Kyle, is to raise concerns about EU plans to dramatically reduce tariff-free imports of British steel with its trade commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič, in Brussels on Friday.The UK steel industry has previously warned of “devastating” consequences from the new quota system being planned by the EU, which will cut overall tariff-free imports from non-EU countries by 47% on 2024 levels from 1 July. Continue reading...
bbc.com
SpaceX says it's worth $1.75tn as it targets largest stock market debut
Elon Musk’s space exploration company set a target share price for buyers earlier than expected.
theguardian.com
‘Happiness is not just about GDP’: ambitious plan or utopia?
Some will question its credibility – but the alternative future to the one imagined in the World Justice Report is far more bleak‘An equal and habitable world is possible’: academics set out sweeping vision for planetary survivalIn our increasingly dystopian world, who wouldn’t want to at least be open to a utopian antidote? The World Justice Report, published on Thursday, outlines how to build a prosperous, equitable world within safe planetary boundaries. It’s a push from the modern eco-socialist left in a global battle for ideas that will shape the future.Based on past social achievements and future energy transformation, it indicates that the overwhelming majority of people on the planet could, by the end of the century, work less and earn more – while keeping temperatures down and avoiding much of the current destruction of nature. It is an ambitious, comprehensive and upbeat plan, and a stronger argument around which to build a political campaign than abstract goals of net zero or decarbonisation. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
London hit by second day of Tube strike disruption this week
No service expected on Circle or Piccadilly lines with Metropolitan and Central lines also badly affected Business live – latest updatesA London Underground drivers’ strike has brought another day of transport disruption to the capital on Thursday.Transport for London (TfL) had urged the RMT union to call off the strike, the second 24-hour stoppage this week in a dispute over the introduction of a four-day working week. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘An equal and habitable world is possible’: academics set out sweeping vision for planetary survival
Global report provides an alternative to climate breakdown, political extremism and economic tensions• ‘Happiness is not just about GDP’: ambitious plan or utopia?Humanity can raise living standards, reduce inequality and keep global heating within a 2C rise, according to a sweeping vision for planetary survival.The report by the World Inequality Lab (WIL) aims to be the most comprehensive attempt yet to navigate the polycrisis that is pushing the world toward climate breakdown, political extremism and ever greater economic and social tension. Continue reading...
bbc.com
'Library of Things' aims to help people save money
Volunteers in Leamington have launched a new type of library where you can borrow household items.
bbc.com
'I lost thousands in savings and my partner's money is in limbo'
The number of people withdrawing money from a LISA is outpacing the number using one to buy a home. Why?
theguardian.com
Widow of gambling addict takes Betfair to court in possible landmark UK case
Success would establish for first time that a betting firm had duty of care to customers with signs of problem gamblingThe widow of a gambling addict who took his own life after falling £18,000 into debt begins a legal claim on Thursday against Betfair that could have far-reaching consequences for the UK’s gambling industry.Luke Ashton, 40, from Leicester, died in April 2021 after suffering from a gambling disorder that led him to place thousands of bets with the company, which sent him promotional “free” bets.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is at 988 or chat for support. You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis text line counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...
bbc.com
Costly fuel pushes more Indians to buy electric cars but challenges remain
High fuel prices are strengthening the case for EV adoption in the world's third largest auto market.
bbc.com
'By the grace of God': Miners dig on as lab-grown diamonds change market
The rising popularity of lab-grown diamonds heaps pressure on those hunting for the natural gems.
theguardian.com
In first, California city overwhelmingly votes to permanently ban datacenters
While many US city councils have passed moratoriums, Monterey Park is first where residents have voted on a banSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailResidents in Monterey Park, California, became the first in the US to vote on a permanent ban on datacenters on Tuesday, and early results indicate a resounding victory for the prohibition.While many cities and counties have already passed temporary or indefinite moratoriums via their local governments, Monterey Park would be the first to do so through a ballot initiative. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on migrant workers’ rights: a tribunal win has shone a light on a broken system | Editorial
The shocking case of a man left on the breadline after being recruited to work in the UK’s care sector should prompt ministers to actThe risk of mistreatment for overseas workers recruited for jobs in the UK on health and care visas is well established. Examples range from rip-off agents’ fees and illegally low pay to conditions akin to debt bondage, with passports and wages withheld. But Shabin Shaji’s employment tribunal win over Swan Care Solutions Ltd is thought to be the first time that an individual has succeeded in forcing a business to hand over unpaid wages. His victory should give hope to others in similar situations. It is also a chilling illustration of how migrant workers can become trapped in an unbalanced system in which they have too few rights.Mr Shaji, a computer science graduate, left his home in south India in 2023 and paid £17,000 to an agent who helped him to get a job with Swan in Stafford. Last month, a judge in Birmingham awarded him nearly £30,000 after he spent a year without work, pleading with Swan for shifts that never materialised, while living off scraps and the kindness of strangers. He eventually found other work, but has since returned to India. Swan lost its licence to sponsor migrant workers.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
What do UK watchdog’s new rules on Google AI results mean for publishers?
Giving news websites the power to block their content from being used in AI summaries will have global ramificationsThe UK’s competition watchdog has ordered Google to change how it uses publishers’ content in its AI-powered search results, in a move that will have global ramifications.The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is using powers that allow it to set bespoke rules for major tech firms that it deems to have “strategic market status”. Google, the world’s largest search engine, is one of those companies. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
What does Andy Burnham mean by more ‘public control’ of water and energy? He is too vague
The Manchester mayor is tapping into deep public frustration over the water industry but at some stage he needs to say what he meansThere ought to be a rule to oblige politicians advocating “stronger public control” of an essential service or sector to say what, precisely, they mean. Public “ownership” is easy to understand – it’s nationalisation. But Andy Burnham, when he cites water and energy as targets for greater public control, seems to imply something else. What?Would he, for instance, torpedo the government’s current plans for water, notably the “once-in-a-generation” reset of regulation in England and Wales via the clean water bill due in the autumn? Or is he merely saying Thames Water should be tipped into special administration, which may happen anyway without a shove from a new prime minister? Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Lack of childcare support for parents in higher education | Letter
Roberta Leem-Bruggen says she was working full-time hours in NHS settings but was considered a ‘non-earner’ and therefore not eligible for childcare supportJamie Evans’ letter on childcare eligibility and the “nerd tax” (28 May) strongly resonated with me because I have experienced versions of this problem throughout higher education.In 2020, I was a single parent studying for a clinical master’s degree. I spent over 40 hours a week on compulsory NHS placements while completing academic work. During that time, I received universal credit, including the childcare element, which enabled me to continue my studies. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
City & Guilds faces legal and industrial action over plans to cut hundreds of jobs
New crisis at former vocational charity involves alleged withholding of data and breaching redundancy lawsCity & Guilds is facing potential legal and industrial action over claims it has been “dishonest” over plans to shed about 400 UK staff.Officials at the Unite union allege the owner of the training and qualifications body has been “unlawfully withholding key information during transfer consultations”, while also “advertising for new recruits when it is legally required to give staff at risk of redundancy first refusal”. Continue reading...
bbc.com
US announces new tariffs over forced labour concerns
It comes after the US Supreme Court struck down many of US President Donald Trump's previous duties in February.
theguardian.com
Nissan maps out deal to build cars for China’s Chery at its Sunderland plant
Non-binding agreement to start assembling vehicles in 2027 would safeguard jobs at UK’s largest car factoryNissan has agreed to look at building cars in northern England for Chinese manufacturer Chery, in a move that would secure jobs at the UK’s largest car factory and begin mass-market Chinese car production in Britain for the first time.The Japanese carmaker said on Wednesday it had signed a non-binding agreement and that discussions were ongoing over contract manufacturing by Nissan for Chery, which is part-owned by the Chinese state. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Lloyds customers unable to make payments due to IT glitch
Bank apologises after IT update caused problems with Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland appsLloyds Banking Group has apologised after thousands of its customers were unable to make payments or send money due to another IT glitch.According to Downdetector, a website that lets people track real-time service issues and outages, customers started noticing problems shortly after 11am on Wednesday, with issues affecting many of the group’s brands: Lloyds Bank, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, Scottish Widows and MBNA. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland back after online banking outage
"We're aware some customers are having issues with our app and online banking. We're really sorry about this," Lloyds Bank posted on X.
theguardian.com
YouTube overtakes Netflix in average daily viewing around the world
Analysts say Alphabet-owned platform’s evolution is one of the defining media shifts of the decadeYouTube has overtaken Netflix in average daily viewing among users around the world, according to analysis that reveals the digital platform’s ever greater media muscle.A major shift to watching YouTube on television has fuelled a growing rivalry between the world’s pre-eminent digital and streaming platforms. “YouTube is not just cat videos any more,” Netflix’s co-chief executive, Ted Sarandos, said recently. “YouTube is TV.” Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK government to pay £1.3bn to help fund Universal Studios theme park in Bedfordshire
Chancellor hails deal saying it will create tens of thousands of jobs in the construction, hospitality, creative and technology sectorsBritish taxpayers will provide £1.3bn in funding to help the Hollywood studio giant Universal build its first theme park in Europe.Comcast, the US media company that owns NBC Universal and Sky, had been considering a number of countries in which to build its first European theme park. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Universal park officially named as government pledges £1.3bn
The government's contribution is going towards upgrading local infrastructure and transport links.
theguardian.com
Can autonomous AI-powered killer drones take morality onboard?
While the technology is set to play a growing role in modern warfare, there remains an unresolved ethical challengeShould the AI-powered drones of the future have a licence to kill? The question is becoming ever more pressing as governments and the defence industry acknowledge that drone systems will play an increasingly crucial role in future warfare.With drones being deployed in huge numbers in the Ukraine war and AI being used to assist bombing missions in the Iran conflict, there is an expectation among some observers that weapons will have to operate with increased operational autonomy, which means they will need something approximating a moral framework. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Trump threatens tariffs on 60 trading partners including UK and Canada over ‘forced labour’
Proposal for 10-12.5% levies, to also include EU, Taiwan and Australia, would allow US president to skirt court-imposed limitsDonald Trump has threatened tariffs of between 10% and 12.5% on 60 trading partners including the UK, the EU and Australia over alleged forced labour failures, in the latest attempt to revive his signature trade policy.The EU immediately hit back, saying it expected the US to respect the tariff deal it entered into last July and arguing that stealth tariffs breached the spirit of that agreement. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The ‘fricy’ flavour sensation: why spicy fruit is the sweet hot taste of this summer
We’ve had swicy. We’ve had swavoury. Now a new fusion of flavours is flying off the shelves. So what do these South American-inspired drinks and dishes actually taste like?When the balance of fruit and spicy flavours is right, “I love it,” a fellow customer at a dessert cafe in London tells me as we wait to be served. It’s 26-year-old Hannah’s third time visiting Mango Twist in Seven Sisters, which sells South American-inspired slushies and fruit bowls. She’s here, like me, to order one of its “fricy” (fruity and spicy) offerings: the “Volcano” slushie, which is the cafe’s take on the traditional Mexican chamoyada, a mango and chilli drink.Hannah has family in the US, so is familiar with the Mexican sweet treats that are commonly available there; as a child she was “obsessed” with the flavours. So when she found out about Mango Twist, “I was like, ‘I need to come here,’” she says. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Americans should be reassured by high prices, apparently. Does Trump's team really think we're that stupid | Arwa Mahdawi
According to chief economic adviser Kevin Hassett, living in the world’s richest superpower and witnessing food, electricity and housing become luxury items is a good thingGod, I love paying high prices at the supermarket, don’t you? I walk outside with a bag of basics that cost approximately 500% more than they did a few years ago and it makes me feel so optimistic about life. What a wonderful thing to live in the US – the world’s richest superpower – and witness food, electricity and housing become luxury items.Donald Trump’s chief economic adviser, Kevin Hassett, knows what I mean. On Sunday Hassett went on Fox News to inform the US public that high prices are good, actually. Trust him – he’s an economist. Yes, it’s true that last month the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index dropped to its lowest point since the survey began in 1952 and Americans are feeling grim about the economy. But as Hassett explained, “The Michigan survey no longer has anything to do with the economy … it’s just a place where Democrats get to register how angry they are at President Trump.” Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK media websites given power to block Google using their articles in AI search
Watchdog makes ruling on search summaries after publishers complain about drop in click-through traffic and revenueBusiness live – latest updatesOnline publishers and news organisations are now able to block their content from appearing in Google’s AI summaries in UK search results, the British competition watchdog has announced.The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the new requirement would “put publishers, like news organisations, in a stronger position to negotiate content deals with Google”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
OECD predicts spate of recessions globally if Iran conflict drags into 2027
Policy forum lays out ‘prolonged disruption’ scenario in which world’s GDP falls to 2.1% this year from 3.4% in 2025Rural UK ‘particularly at risk’ of diesel shortagesIf the Middle East conflict drags on into next year it would hit global growth hard, driving some economies into recession and causing energy shortages, according to forecasts from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.In its latest Economic Outlook, the Paris-based club of industrialised countries lays out a “prolonged disruption” scenario, in which there is no agreement between the US and Iran until 2027. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
How to invest £50 a month: tips for people at different ages
Experts explain how small, regular sums can build wealth over time, from your 20s through to retirementThinking about investing? There are compelling reasons for moving at least some of your money away from standard savings accounts and into the stock market. There are also risks, but over the long term the rewards can be better.Many people are put off by the idea that you need to be wealthy to start investing, or over a certain age. But even if you can only afford to set aside £50 a month, it is worth considering. And while there are important factors to consider before you start, it is rarely too early, or too late, to take the first step. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Quite shocking’: why was a vulnerable customer sent a £8,400 energy bill?
ScottishPower apologises for charging error, as millions face higher costs under revised energy price capThe energy bill from ScottishPower sent Richard Palmer into an immediate panic. It said he had to pay more than £8,400 straight away or risk his credit history being impaired for years.The 76-year-old felt he had no option so he paid the bill, using half of his savings to do so, even though it amounted to nine times what his annual payment would normally be. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Publishers in UK can opt out of Google AI search results
The Competition and Markets Authority says it would put publishers "in a stronger position to negotiate content deals with Google".
bbc.com
'Without free meal, it's a cup of soup for dinner'
Community cafe in Boston says numbers rose from about 60 to more than 90 at the start of the year.
theguardian.com
Nicola Sturgeon’s ex and his £400,000 shopping spree
Fast cars, luxury watches – and, of course, that motorhome: the list of what former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell bought with embezzled funds is dizzying. Severin Carrell reports.As chief executive of the SNP Peter Murrell was an extraordinarily influential politician. Along with former SNP leader Alex Salmond he helped turn the party into an election-winning machine. And he married the woman who would increase its popularity even further – Nicola Sturgeon. Then came the news he had admitted embezzling money from the party – and using it to buy everything from toilet rolls and instant coffee to a Jaguar.At the weekend Sturgeon felt compelled to break her silence and give an interview to the BBC, insisting she knew nothing about her now ex-husband’s crimes. The Guardian’s Scotland editor, Severin Carrell, explains how the case is still unfolding, with a court hearing this week and sentencing this month. He tells Annie Kelly what we have learned about Murrell’s behaviour. “It was almost as if you had a teenager funding their entertainment habits and a lavish lifestyle on somebody else’s credit card,” he says. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Three-quarters of workers not on track for 'moderate' pension income, report suggests
A newly-published report suggests a moderate lifestyle in retirement costs £32,700 for one person and £45,400 for two.
bbc.com
The 18 creatures in the running to be on the new banknotes
The Bank of England is asking the public which animals should appear on future banknotes.
bbc.com
Microsoft testing wearable AI gadget aimed at office workers
The company said its own workers are testing a "wearable access badge" and a desktop device.
bbc.com
Microsoft says new quantum chip 1,000 times more reliable than predecessor
The tech giant predicts it will have a quantum computer that can solve commercially useful problems by the end of the decade.
theguardian.com
The BP drama will fade: boards are allowed to ditch the chair
Rather than a continuation of the company’s recent issues, isn’t this an example of the board doing what it is supposed to do?An easy narrative about the great BP boardroom drama runs like this: the plodding non-executive directors couldn’t handle the blunt ways of the hard-charging chair they had hired precisely to give the place a kick. Therefore the defenestration of Albert Manifold after only eight months in post shows BP is even more dysfunctional than thought.The best outcome for shareholders, on this reading, would be a takeover bid from Shell to put everybody out of their misery. In the meantime, continues this interpretation, Amanda Blanc, the Aviva boss who is the senior independent director, should let somebody else lead the search for the next chair, given how her last production turned out. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Water firm fined £1.8m over parasite outbreak
Four people were hospitalised and there were more than 140 cases of sickness and diarrhoea in Devon.
bbc.com
King told me Post Office scandal was 'dreadful', says oldest victim
Betty Brown says she is accepting the honour on behalf of all the victims of the scandal.
theguardian.com
How public-sector pension schemes are funded | Letters
Prof John H Arnold and Douglas Russell respond to a letter that said defined-benefit pensions place enormous pressure on public financesProf Stephen Caddick’s letter (26 May) on public sector defined-benefit (DB) pension schemes requires a response. There are five large “unfunded” schemes: NHS, teachers, civil servants, police and army. It is true that employers, and thus ultimately taxpayers, put in a fairly high employer contribution. But without a decent pension scheme, such sectors are likely to require higher levels of pay to recruit and retain staff, the cost of which would also fall on taxpayers.The £1tn in liabilities for public DB schemes that Prof Caddick mentions is misleading, as is usually the case with any assessment of pension liabilities outside the private sector. This figure (in fact probably £1.3tn) estimates the money that the government would have to pay out to cover pensions were there no income coming from workers and employers to support them – that is, in the unlikely scenario that we suddenly ceased to have any NHS workers, teachers, soldiers and so forth, but only those in receipt of a pension in those areas. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘My son is still suffering’: the ill effects of water contamination in ‘Brixham incident’
Physical and psychological impacts of a tap water parasite outbreak continue to be felt in south DevonSouth West Water fined £1.85m over parasite outbreak in DevonMost of the tourists milling around the busy fishing harbour or visiting Agatha Christie’s riverside holiday retreat have probably forgotten what South West Water euphemistically calls the “Brixham incident”.But for residents at the centre of the “incident” – a parasite outbreak that caused perhaps hundreds of people in south Devon to fall ill after they drank contaminated water – the physical and psychological impacts are still keenly felt. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
How England’s largest forest went from commodity to conservation haven
Kielder in Northumberland is balancing commercial production with conserving peatland and rare plants and animalsDriving through part of Northumberland, you might look around at the tall Sitka spruce and imagine yourself in Canada’s evergreen forests, or perhaps, on a sunny day, in northern California. Instead, you are in England’s largest forest, Kielder, often heralded as a success story that balances commercial production with ambitious conservation.The first trees of this 60,000-hectare forest were planted 100 years ago with one aim: increasing Britain’s timber reserves. Much has changed since then. From a single-use plantation, Kielder Forest has been transformed into a haven for nature and an invaluable environmental asset. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Third of people say uni degree not worth it, as student loan inquiry begins
MPs will hear the concerns of graduates about the size of their student debts, and the interest rates.
theguardian.com
Google owner Alphabet to sell $80bn in stock to fund AI spending spree
Markets take note as world’s biggest equity fundraiser bids to garner more money than three biggest-ever IPOs combinedKenneth Rogoff: will AI create a permanent underclass?Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has said it plans to raise up to $80bn (£59bn) in equity to fund its vast artificial intelligence infrastructure investments, raising further questions over the economics of the AI boom.The move, the largest equity fundraising ever according to analysts, includes a $10bn share sale to the US investment group Berkshire Hathaway, which was led until last year by Warren Buffett. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Instagram AI chatbot tricked by hackers to give access to others' accounts
Some reports have linked the incident to recent cases of high-profile Instagram accounts being hijacked.
bbc.com
Post Office scandal victim dedicates OBE to 'sub-postmasters we have lost'
The 92-year-old said she dedicate the OBE to 'all sub-postmasters we have lost'.
bbc.com
China goes after 'ghost kitchens' to rein in cut-throat food delivery apps
The thousands of "ghost kitchens" - online shops that don't actually exist - have spooked Chinese consumers.
bbc.com
AI giant Anthropic plans to sell shares in US as valuation nears $1tn
The AI company behind Claude is set to offer the public the chance to buy and sell shares in the firm later this year.
bbc.com
Steph Curry signs with Chinese brand after Under Armour split
Chinese firms have been vying to secure deals with big stars as they push to become global brands.
theguardian.com
I surrendered my driving licence after a spinal injury but the DVLA revoked it
Although I voluntarily handed in the licence, the agency’s action has made it far harder for me to get it backI suffered a spinal cord injury in August 2024. I voluntarily surrendered my driving licence to the DVLA, only for it to revoke it instead. This makes it much, much harder to get it back later on.I’ve since been told that I need to take a medical driving assessment to get the licence back, but I am unable to take one because I do not have a licence. I am now on my third application, with evidence from my spinal consultant and an off-road driving assessment confirming that I can drive with hand controls. This was submitted two months ago, and the DVLA still can’t update me. Continue reading...
bbc.com
London Tube strikes go ahead after talks fail
Members of the RMT union are on strike on Tuesday in a row over working hours, with further action planned for Thursday.
theguardian.com
Playground no more: Thais sick of badly behaved tourists hail stricter visas
Government cites crime and drunken antics of foreigners as it shortens their stays – with ordinary Thais welcoming the crackdownIt’s late afternoon at Bangkok’s Khaosan road, the city’s backpacker strip. Bar staff are calling after passersby, enticing them inside with drinks promotions. The smell of cannabis, widely sold in the city, wafts into the street, where vendors sell anything from fake tattoos, flip-flops and icy fruit shakes.This street, and its famously noisy nightlife, has attracted visitors from around the world for decades. But increasingly, some in Thailand are growing tired of the country’s party-loving visitors. Continue reading...
bbc.com
How 'confused' AI rollout hurts firms and baffles staff
Some firms are putting pressure on staff to use AI, but have not thought through their AI rollout.
bbc.com
OpenAI let ChatGPT aid and abet mass shooters, Florida lawsuit claims
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier alleges OpenAI and boss Sam Altman built a 'web of deceit'
bbc.com
UK banks blocked from cyber AI tool Mythos get offer from rival OpenAI
Nine banks have been offered access to GPT 5.5 Cyber, as fierce rival Anthropic has blocked previews of its tool.
bbc.com
Wise under investigation over money laundering control concerns
Wise says it is working with the Brussels prosecutor's office but that "no specific findings have been shared with us to date".
theguardian.com
Trump insists Iran deal close despite strikes – The Latest
As Israel threatens to bomb Beirut and the US and Iran trade missile strikes, Donald Trump insists it will ‘all work out well in the end’ and urges his critics to ‘sit back and relax’. So are we any closer to a deal? Lucy Hough speaks to diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour – watch on YouTube Continue reading...
bbc.com
Abusive passengers could be banned from all airlines under new proposal
The scheme would allow airlines to share information on disruptive passengers and potentially restrict their access to flights.
theguardian.com
‘Catastrophic for creative industries’: Brexit barriers shut UK actors out of EU jobs
Casting shifts to EU talent as paperwork delays and visa limits make hiring British crews less viableFrom blacklists for UK passport holders to being asked to work illegally while on holiday, the plethora of extra costs and red tape thrown up post-Brexit are restricting opportunities for British actors seeking work in the EU.Mainland Europe has always been a springboard for those in the creative industries, from gaining crucial first credits on a TV, film or theatre production to building a marketable resume and paying the bills while attempting to make it big in the UK or US. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
French navy boards Russia-linked oil tanker in Atlantic – video
France has released footage that appears to show French naval commandos boarding a ship suspected of being part of Russia's 'shadow fleet' and subject to international sanctions. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, said the operation took place on the tanker, named the Tagor, with support of the UK and in strict compliance with the law of the sea. The French navy confirmed the interception occurred on SundayMacron says French navy has boarded Russia-linked oil tanker in Atlantic Continue reading...
bbc.com
What's happening to UK petrol and diesel prices?
Motoring group RAC warns pump prices could keep rising if there is no resolution to the Iran war.
bbc.com
Caribbean hot sauce producers warn of shortages and higher prices
Manufacturers in Jamaica say the key chilli peppers they need are in limited supply.
theguardian.com
This model is not a real person: how AI is changing online shopping – video
From digital twins to models ‘sculpted’ by programmers, generative AI has been popping up all over the fashion industry. When an Australian e-commerce retailer started using AI-generated models to sell products, lifestyle editor Alyx Gorman had to see if the garments were more than mere pixels.The Iconic, which sells the dress worn in this video, said in a statement: ‘Where AI-generated imagery is used to advertise products for sale on our platform, our expectation is that it is clearly labelled and that the product itself is represented as accurately as possible for customers.’ Meanwhile, Atoir, the designer, said: ‘The Australian fashion industry is highly competitive, particularly for independent brands. We believe that when used responsibly, tools like this can help smaller businesses to operate with greater agility while still maintaining the creative standards and product integrity that matter to both the brand and the customer’Calling all fashion models … now AI is coming for you Continue reading...
bbc.com
Humanoid robots 'the future' of car making, says BMW
BMW is introducing humanoid robots to a car plant in Europe, building on similar projects in the US.
bbc.com
The £5 coffee that tells a story of global economic turmoil
Coffees at some city centre outlets now cost £5. It's a story of tariffs, the climate, Gen Z cultural tastes, and savvy coffee farmers playing the market, writes Faisal Islam
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Is 'out of control' US tipping culture spreading overseas?
With US waiting staff getting cross at receiving less than 20%, tips are also on the rise elsewhere.
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How a rise in energy bills will affect you from July
Household energy prices will rise by 13% a year in July, as soaring wholesale costs caused by the US-Israel war with Iran hit bills for the first time.
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Why it's now harder to get a Saturday job
The boss of Next has warned there has been a "dramatic fall" in the number of entry-level job opportunities in the UK.
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The rise of the fruit that tastes like custard
Custard apple plants are prized for their hardiness but exporting their delicate fruit is difficult.
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This beach hut costs the same as a three-bedroom house
A beach hut has gone on the market for £200,000 - the same price as some houses further along the Welsh coast.
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Morocco wants tourists to visit Western Sahara. Some say it's tightening its control
The Moroccan government wants more Western holidaymakers to visit the territory it claims to own.
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'Six eggs used to be £1' - why everyday essentials cost so much more now
Six supermarket brand eggs cost £1 in 2022. How much are they now, why have they gone up, and is anyone profiteering?
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The Leeds designer outlet that's 15 miles from Leeds
A rebrand of the junction 32 retail park off the M62 has gone down poorly with some locals in Castleford.
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Why are unpaid debt court cases rising?
Why are unpaid debt court cases rising?
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Love factually: Dating start-ups promise to cut the cheats
Frustration with fake dating profiles has spurred new dating services with different approaches.
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The fight against foreign developers buying Caribbean beaches
Campaigners in Barbuda, Grenada and Jamaica say they can no longer access their coastlines.
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Robo-top: The machines that could make your next t-shirt
Most clothes are made in Asia, but new machines could bring some of that work back to the West.
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Why does Amazon have no Western rivals?
The internet giant dwarfs other online retailers on both sides of the Atlantic.
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Rise in solar panel sales as people 'want to save money'
One director, who has just bought 2,000 panels, hopes to safeguard the company's future bills.
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Inside the secretive and lucrative world of orchid breeding
It can take a decade to bring a new orchid to market, so breeders keep their hi-tech processes secret.
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Smart glasses are 'an invasion of privacy' - Meta's are selling better than ever
The biggest tech firms are set to sell millions of smart glasses despite growing privacy concerns.
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The threat to summer holidays looming from jet fuel shortages
What impact might shortages have on our summer holidays - and what could be done about it?
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Scammers are becoming ever more sophisticated - this is what the fightback looks like
Scams have exploded over the last few years. Can countries and companies come together to turn the tables on the scammers?
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The £5.30 orange juice that tells the story of why supermarket prices are sky high
Butter, chocolate, coffee and milk have all seen prices rocket. Tracing back through the story of one particular supermarket staple begins to explain why
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Prepare for turbulence - how a prolonged Middle East conflict could reshape how we fly
The Gulf's hub airports made long-distance travel cheaper - but now their future looks unclear.
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